Why did you join the Junior League?
Connie Spellman and I were sorority sisters in the same pledge class and I have always admired her leadership qualities. Carol Lowe and I met on Mayor Mike Boyle’s Omaha Bicentennial Committee. She also was a very impressive board member. Both women were active in the JLO and I wished I could be a part of it.
Tell us about your family?
My husband Steve is a retired Pathologist from Methodist Hospital. We have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Our oldest daughter is Kristy and her husband is Chip Burkle. They are Iowa State Grads and live in Altoona IA. Kristy is an elementary school art teacher and they have 2 boys, Sam 15 and Henri 13. Our other daughter, Kathy, and her husband Rurik Lubinski live in Parker CO. Kathy is a math major graduate from NC State in Raleigh NC and is temporarily on leave from Northrop Grumman to be a “stay at home mom”. They have 2 children Asher 6 and Clara 3. Our son Peter lives in Omaha. His wife Rina grew up in Costa Rica and they met there when Peter was on a study abroad program. He was a Spanish major at U. of Missouri and now works for Iowa Health & Human Services. They have 2 children Jade 5 and Liam 2.
Pets:
We have had 1 cocker spaniel and 2 golden retrievers. The best was Barley, our last dog, and he was a rescue dog. The only dog that came back when you called him!
Hometown:
I was born in Sioux City IA but grew up in Lincoln NE
College:
University of Nebraska – with majors in Microbiology and Medical Technology
Sorority:
Job/Business:
I worked 5 years at the old Lutheran Hospital as a Medical Technologist, primarily in the Blood Bank.
Much later, I worked for the Archdiocese of Omaha as a co-director of the Children’s Scholarship Fund.
What was your favorite placement and why?
Actually, several were favorites in different ways. My first placement was working on the Parent Assistance Line. The training was great when you were a parent of small children. I enjoyed being the chairman of the Public Affairs committee and a registered lobbyist for the JLO. The AJLI training as President-Elect of the JLO was awesome and being the President was FUN.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Marriage to a wonderful husband and children are definite turning points. Becoming a member of the JLO and all of the training that is available to become better volunteers and leaders in our community is at the top of the list too.
What are your favorite restaurant(s) in Omaha?
What other organizations are you affiliated with?
Only Hattie B Monroe Foundation Board and Methodist Hospital Foundation Board now but in the past I have served on the Boards of Family Service (Heartland Family Service), Uta Halee, Camp Fire (Completely Kids), YWCA (Women’s Center for Advancement) , Methodist Hospital VIP’s, Friends of Children’s Hospital, Symphony Guild Board, Symphony Deb Ball, Ak-Sar-Ben Women’s Ball committee.
What is your favorite song?
“What a Wonderful World” sung by Louie Armstrong
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Since we are retired, every day is a day off! In the winter we live in a retirement community in the Phoenix area so I like to golf, quilt, knit, crochet, needlepoint and do counted cross-stitch.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
The last two I have read and really liked are: “God’s Hotel” by Victoria Sweet and “Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown. I also really like Jan Karron’s Mitford Series books.
What is your favorite all-time movie?
The Sound of Music
What is your favorite television show?
Downton Abbey
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
Learning to play the cello has been on my “bucket list” so a couple of years ago, Steve surprised me with a rented cello and lessons with Margaret Lim, who plays with the Omaha Symphony. It’s harder than it looks! But I do enjoy it and Margaret is very patient!
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
Pete Tulipana, the former CEO of Family Service
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Don’t sweat the small stuff”
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